How to avoid sewage back-ups!

11/4/2021 (Permalink)

sewage back-up causing flood inside home

Have you ever encountered standing water in your home after a heavy rainstorm? If water has come up through plumbing fixtures or if you have standing water over a drain in the floor or bathroom, you may be experiencing a sewer backup. 

How to Prevent a Sewer Backup

You may be able to help protect your home from a sewer backup by taking the following preventive steps:

• Install a backup water valve: A plumber can install a water valve in sewer or drain lines. This valve lets sewage water flow out of the pipes, but not back in.
• Properly dispose of household waste: Items like paper towels do not decompose quickly and can contribute to plugging sewer lines if they are flushed down a toilet. And in the kitchen, be sure to properly dispose of cooking grease — if you pour it down the sink, it can harden in the pipes.
• Inspect and trim tree roots: If you have noticeable tree roots throughout your yard, you may need to have a professional trim them back to help reduce the risk of them growing into a sewer line.

While these safety tips can help minimize the risk of a sewer backup happening at your home, it’s important to remember that sewer backups aren’t typically covered by homeowners insurance policy. So, consider adding water backup coverage to your homeowners insurance policy which may help pay for repairs after a sewer backup.